Disney reveals image of Shanghai resort's 'Pirates'-themed land

Walt Disney Co. unveiled on Tuesday a rendering of the "Pirates of the Caribbean"-themed land Treasure Cove at its forthcoming Shanghai Disney Resort property.

Walt Disney Co. unveiled on Tuesday a rendering of the "Pirates of the Caribbean"-themed land Treasure Cove at its forthcoming Shanghai Disney Resort property. (Handout)

Daniel Miller

Walt Disney Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Iger said at the company's annual meeting Tuesday that the company’s forthcoming Shanghai Disney Resort would include an attraction based on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise.

That theme park, which is currently under construction, would include a "Pirates"-themed land called Treasure Cove and a ride called “Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure.”

Disney unveiled Tuesday a computer rendering of Treasure Cove, which would feature several structures arrayed around a bay dominated by a pirate clipper ship.

The multibillion-dollar "Pirates" movie series itself, of course, is based on a long-running ride at the company’s flagship theme park in Anaheim. That attraction opened on this day 47 years ago.

Disney said in a statement that the “Battle of the Sunken Treasure" ride would "feature a combination of new technology and innovation to bring guests along a pirate adventure" that would include familiar "Pirates" characters Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Davy Jones.

"We’re excited to re-imagine the iconic world and characters of 'Pirates' for the first time as an entire land that celebrates the creativity, imagination and adventure of both the fan favorite attraction and the popular film franchise,” Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a statement.

The Shanghai Disney Resort, a nearly $4-billion theme park project that Iger has worked on for more than 15 years, is slated to open by Dec. 31, 2015.

“I was there just a few weeks ago and there are construction cranes everywhere you look,” Iger said. “The progress is truly phenomenal.”